For the second time in 4 seasons, LeBron James missed the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers. For the NBA, this was a big blow, as LeBron James is still the most recognizable name in the NBA.
And for him to miss the playoffs, while playing for one of the NBA’s most popular teams during the most important part of the NBA season was a massive loss for them. But that hasn’t stopped basketball media to continue talking about him and the Los Angeles Lakers during this playoff run.
Stephen A. Smith and the NBA Countdown panel on ESPN discussed the Los Angeles Lakers hiring David Ham as their new head coach, and how it would impact LeBron James.
This discussion took place just shortly before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics tipped off. But despite the big game coming up, the Lakers were the focus for ESPN.
NBA fans slammed ESPN and the panelists for talking about the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James right before the biggest game of the playoffs till now.
Many noted that ESPN couldn’t help themselves from bringing up LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers despite the fact that they had a terrible season and missed the playoffs. Some fans even pointed out that the Lakers’ new coaching hire had already been discussed ad nauseam last week on ESPN.
https://twitter.com/WKundead/status/1531114685428543489
probably because the face of the NBA didn't make the playoffs
— Ellex⛈️ (@schreckels) May 30, 2022
W vid
— pol (@pol_alc) May 30, 2022
>>>**
— Ruthless_Echoz (@RuthlessEchoz) May 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/KD4way1/status/1531155704446431232https://twitter.com/unorthodoxgenyz/status/1531140371064954880
@glodithebest07 😭😭😭 mf fina be sade the day lebron retire
— GuccyWrld (@yg_pato) May 30, 2022
— Sdot580 (@Sdot5801) May 30, 2022
Dude is debatable the best player ever played the game, as long as he is playing they are going to talk about him either you like it or not.
— Ali (@Ali30518386) May 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/L1ndaLa_/status/1531094520242266114
as they should
— Pittsburgh Propaganda (@pghfourteen) May 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/taefrmo/status/1531088871294963721https://twitter.com/Ty_Lacroix11/status/1531120785862995969
Granted, it is understandable why ESPN would talk about LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, as they are two of the most recognizable entities in the history of the NBA. But the optics of ESPN discussing a team that missed the playoffs ahead of a massive Game 7 is not good.
Sports media have often been criticized for focusing on certain players and teams over others, as it shows a bias. But the truth is, there are certain players and teams that will garner more interest from the fans than others, and sports journalists are playing the numbers, regardless of whether it is right or not.
